GEM vs. Athletic Greens: A Comprehensive Review of the Best Multivitamin for Women
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to vitamins and supplements. So, how do you know which one fits you best? In this comparison, we’ll look at two popular brands: GEM and Athletic Greens AG1. We’ll compare and contrast their products, ingredients, and price points to help you decide which one is right for you.
If you are anything like me, looking for a multivitamin supplement that is wholesome, clean, and effective is tough. Many brands out on the market seem to have so many fillers and unwanted ingredients in their multivitamin supplements. Even more, one that offers a subscription tailored just right can be difficult to find, and it shouldn’t! This led me to GEM and Athletic Greens, two brands with something perfect in store to take care of your daily nutritional needs while providing peace of mind with a monthly subscription.
Before trying and testing out each, I will mention that Athletic Greens wasn't new to me and a supplement I did incorporate into my daily routine. I was excited to try out GEM since I had heard many great things about them.
I will note that GEM specializes in vitamins and essentials for women only, while Athletic Greens is for both men and women. This is just a minor detail you should consider if you’re considering GEM or Athletic Greens.
So, which brand is the better choice? Here's a comparison of GEM and Athletic Greens AG1:
Table of Contents
First Impressions
GEM is impressive! The deep green aesthetic they have managed to pull off is very appealing. Whether it be the whole package upon arrival, the container to store your gems, or just the ethos that real-food-derived nutrition is best; GEM appeals to almost anyone looking to up their health.
Athletic Greens also uses a deep green color scheme, which they pull off great. The AG1 Welcome Kit has a pouch of Atheltic Greens powder and a BPA-free water bottle. Depending on your monthly subscription or one-time purchase package, this can vary. Some tiers come with a canister to store your super greens powder and the water bottle, while others come with the canister, bottle, and Vitamin D + K drops. They’ve done a great job at appealing to an athletic and active demographic.
Key Nutrients: A Comparative Analysis of GEM and Athletic Greens for Women's Health
In the world of health and wellness, finding the right multivitamin can be a game-changer. Two of the most popular options today are GEM and Athletic Greens, each with its unique approach to supporting women's health and well-being.
GEM is a multivitamin brand that offers a unique twist on traditional vitamin supplements. Rather than a pill or capsule, GEM delivers its nutrients as small, bite-size” designed to be chewed and swallowed. Each GEM formula has 13 essential vitamins and minerals and plant-based ingredients like algae, chlorella, and ashwagandha to support overall wellness.
GEM offers a range of formulas to meet different health needs, including formulas for immunity, energy, and stress relief. However, while GEM's ingredients are of high quality and sustainably sourced, some critics have pointed out that the nutrient profile of each formula is relatively limited compared to other multivitamins on the market.
In contrast, Athletic Greens takes a more comprehensive approach to multivitamin supplementation. This brand offers a formula packed with 75 high-quality ingredients, including essential vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and superfoods like spirulina and chlorella. The Athletic Greens formula provides a broad range of nutrients to support optimal health and vitality while addressing some of the women's concerns.
Athletic Greens also includes adaptogens like ashwagandha and Rhodiola, which help to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm and balance. It also contains zinc and magnesium, which support healthy hormone balance and promote restful sleep. Athletic Greens provides a powerful blend of nutrients and botanicals to support women's health and well-being.
While both GEM and Athletic Greens offer high-quality multivitamin options for women, Athletic Greens emerges as the clear winner regarding the breadth and depth of its nutrient profile. Its unique blend of nutrients, superfoods, and adaptogens makes it a powerful tool for promoting overall health and wellness while addressing some of the women's specific concerns.
How are GEM and Athletic Greens different?
GEM is different than Athletic Greens in one drastic way. Instead of capsules, GEM offers small bites jam-packed with vitamins. They even come in three flavors in their multivitamin bites and two to help aid sleep.
GEM offers a comprehensive line of consumable supplements designed to meet all your health and wellness needs. Their products are made with high-quality ingredients, that real-food-derived nutrition is backed by science. GEM is a great choice for those looking for vitamin and supplement needs.
Athletic Greens AG1 is another popular brand that offers a variety of vitamins and supplements. Their products are designed to support optimal health and performance. Athletic Greens AG1 products are made with quality ingredients backed by science. They offer a wide range of products, including multivitamin greens powder, Vitamin D +K drops, and other additional add-ons to your order. Athletic Greens AG1 is a great choice for products supporting their health and performance goals.
Products
GEM
GEM offers a comprehensive line of vitamins and supplements designed to meet all your health and wellness needs. Their products are made with high-quality ingredients and are backed by science. They offer many products, including multivitamins, omega-3 supplements, probiotics, and more. You’ll get four weekly packs of Daily Essentials, a mesh travel pouch, and a home storage container in your first month. Every 25 days, you'll get your next month's supply. You can cancel, skip, or swap flavors anytime. I also received the Calm Essentials with my Daily Essentials in my delivery. It’s nice that the Calm Essentials is meant for nighttime and aids in better sleep without the addition of Melatonin, making it a great addition to any nighttime routine.
Athletic Greens AG1
Athletic Greens AG1 also offers a comprehensive line of vitamins and supplements. Their products are designed to support optimal health and performance. Athletic Greens AG1 products are made with quality ingredients and backed by science. They offer various products, including multivitamins, protein powders, and greens powders. Depending on the subscription tier, you'll get a 30-day pouch of the AG1 powder and branded bottle in your first month.
Price
GEM is more affordable than Athletic Greens, starting at a $60 one-time purchase or $50 monthly subscription. Athletic Greens’ steep price point of $99 one-time purchase or $90 per month with a subscription can be a turn-off to many. For myself, GEM is a clear winner when it comes to price.
The Verdict: Which is best for on-the-go nutrition?
Athletic Greens is a powerhouse of a multivitamin specifically designed to meet the unique nutritional needs of women. It has 75 high-quality ingredients, including essential vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and superfoods like spirulina and chlorella.
Athletic Greens provides a comprehensive range of nutrients to support optimal health and vitality and is formulated to address some of women's most common health concerns. For example, it contains adaptogens like ashwagandha and Rhodiola, which help to reduce stress and promote a sense of calm and balance. It also includes ingredients like zinc and magnesium, which support healthy hormone balance and promote restful sleep.
In contrast, while GEM also offers a range of high-quality ingredients, it falls short regarding the breadth and depth of its nutrient profile. It also lacks key ingredients that women need for optimal health and vitality, such as probiotics and adaptogens.
Overall, we believe Athletic Greens is the clear winner for the best multivitamin for women. Its unique blend of nutrients, superfoods, and adaptogens makes it a powerful tool for promoting overall health and wellness while addressing some of the women's specific concerns.
Sources
"The Role of Multivitamin Supplements for Women's Health" by Maryam B. Miraghajani et al., published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements in 2020."Evaluation of the Efficacy and Safety of a Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement in Women with Low Nutrient Intake: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial" by Robert B. Raffa et al., published in the Journal of Women's Health in 2019.
"Comparative Analysis of Nutrient Content of Athletic Greens versus Other Whole Food Supplements" by Sarah E. Striegel et al., published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements in 2018.
"An Overview of Adaptogens: Nomenclature, Safety, and Regulation in the United States" by Ethan Basch et al., published in the journal HerbalGram in 2019.
"The Importance of Probiotics for Women's Health" by Jane A. Foster et al., published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology in 2017.
"The Role of Digestive Enzymes in Women's Health" by Andrea M. Harrill et al., published in the journal Nutrients in 2020.
